fortune on her clothes. She changed three times a day
and was said to buy six hundred dresses and a thousand
pairs of gloves a year. It was hardly surprising
her husband was constantly complaining about her
extravagance. But on one occasion her vanity saved her
life. She was late in leaving for the opera because
she spent some time rearranging a shawl, a gift from
Constantinople, around her shoulders.
Napoleon had already left in another carriage so
Josephine’s carriage was some distance behind when
there was a loud explosion. Fortunately Napoleon’s
coach had already passed the danger spot but had
Josephine been following as she should have been, she
would certainly have been killed as many passers-by
were. It was the second attempt on Napoleon’s life and
the audience at the opera cheered in relief as he took his
seat.- You are a headteacher who has been asked by the
governors to produce a report on the staffing position at
your school. Produce a title page, an introduction and a
summary of the report.
(See page 166 for suggested answer.)
116 / PART TWO: ENGLISH IN ACTION